Population Status of Hagenia abyssinica and Myrica salicifolia: A Reflection from Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, Tanzania
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Abstract
This study aimed at prioritizing medicinal plants used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections and assessing
their wild population status. Data were collected using focus group discussions and inventories. Preference ranking
and Microsoft Excel and QGIS software were used for data analysis. Up to seven species were prioritized as most
important in the disease management. It was also found that the species dominated the landscape with elevation
between 1950 to 2050 masl. Moreover, the species displayed linear pattern distribution adjacent rivers. With regards
to population structure, the species revealed J-shaped curves. The species density was 200/ha for Hagenia
abyssinica and 28/ha for Myrica salicifolia. The presence of species in such landscape confirms species to be of
afro-montane nature. The tendency of them growing adjacent water sources reveals their water or moisture loving.
Moreover, the J-shaped curves observed imply poor recruitment and hence unsustainable. The study recommends
for urgent conservation plans especially on the sampled species. There is a need to ensure strict measures are put
in place to safeguard the medicinal plant species to ensure their sustainability
